Studying abroad is a life-altering experience, but what’s the point if you cannot find yourself in the marketplace? Working in an international setting helps make professional connections and increases students’ chances of finding a job after graduation.
However, Saudi students often need help with job hunting in a foreign country. One major challenge is competition from local job seekers and adapting to new cultural norms. Saudi students might need help figuring out where to start when searching for a job. So fret not, as this article will explore the best countries to find work for Saudi students. Let’s get started!
Top Countries for Saudi Students to Find Work
As a Saudi student, you must consider the living expenses in the country and the job market conditions to find the ideal destination for work. We’ve done this research for you! Let’s explore the best countries to find work for Saudi students:
1. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates makes it to the top of the list when searching for jobs as a Saudi student. The destination resembles Saudi Arabia’s culture and boasts a thriving job market. However, the cost of living in the UAE, especially in cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, can be exceptionally high. Including rent, groceries, transport, and other costs, a single person’s living expenses in Dubai are about AED 3,000.
According to research, the UAE recruits foreign part-time workers in sales, marketing, operations, and related sectors. Customer service and sales representative jobs are ideal for Saudi students, considering their fluency in the Arabic language. The best part is that the UAE provides its employees with exciting professional growth opportunities and impressive salaries. As a Saudi student, you enjoy high wages, a safe environment, and an easy transition because of the language and cultural similarities.
2. Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the best countries to live in, with a low cost of living and a high quality of life. Saudi students can find attractive job opportunities, especially as customer service representatives, tutors, and retail assistants. Saudi students can also work as delivery people at various restaurants.
The best part is that most Saudi students can easily adjust to Malaysian workplaces, considering they are fluent in English. Since Malaysia is a Muslim country, Saudi students can leverage their Arabic language expertise to teach young Malaysian students the Arabic language, the Quran, or Islamic history. The shared cultural and religious values make settling into their new workplace much easier for Saudis.
3. Canada
Canada is one of the best countries to find work in, with minimum restrictions on working as an international student. Saudi students can take advantage of the easy restrictions and work part-time in various roles to support themselves financially. The cost of living in Canada is significantly high, averaging about $880 for students (excluding rent). The part-time minimum wage is $15.55 to $16.65 per hour, allowing Saudi students to quickly cover their monthly expenses, even with the minimum wage.
Canada is popular among international students because of its multicultural environment, which will help Saudi students feel welcome and easily adjust to a new environment. Saudi students can take advantage of the easy work requirements for international students. Plenty of student support services in Canada offer part-time jobs to international students. Saudi students can work with student services to assist fellow international students in adjusting to Canadian life and offer support. Moreover, Research assistant jobs are popular among Saudi students who can work with professors or research institutions on projects related to Saudi Arabia or the Middle East.
4. Germany
Germany is one of the best places to work because it is one of the cheapest European countries. The average cost of living for students is about € 867. Undergraduate Saudi students in Germany can expect to earn around € 450 without paying taxes on that income. According to DAAD, students from non-EU countries (including Saudi Arabia) can work only 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
Saudi students can explore various job opportunities in Middle Eastern restaurants or shops, where they can offer insights into Saudi culture by contributing to the authenticity of the cuisine. Additionally, Saudi students can use their Arabic and English language proficiency as interpreters or translators, translating from English or Arabic to the German language.
5. Australia
Australia shows off a high standard of living and several employment opportunities for international students in retail, customer service, food, the hospitality industry, and administration and operations. However, the minimum wage for international students under the age of 21 is lower compared to the high living costs. On the bright side, the Australian government lifted restrictions on international students working part-time after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Australian universities, the number of Saudi students is about 4,500. So, Saudi students can work with student services to support newly incoming students from Saudi Arabia, helping them adjust to Australia. The primary language in Australia is English, giving Saudi students a competitive edge in the job market. Arabic tutor jobs are also quite common in Australia, allowing Saudi students to stay in touch with their cultural heritage. Moreover, about 3.2% of the Australian population is Muslim. Thus, the demand for Arabic and Quranic tutors is high, which gives Saudi students an edge in finding work in Australia.
FAQs on How to Search for Work Abroad
What Are the Challenges Faced by Students in Finding Work Abroad?
Although 85% of Saudis can speak English, Saudi students often need help with language and cultural barriers when looking for work abroad. Finding employment can be incredibly challenging if students require a work visa or a work permit.
Another downside of working abroad is the competition from local job-seekers, which might limit the job opportunities for Saudi students. It might also be difficult to understand the country’s job market, which poses significant job-hunting challenges. Plus, salary expectations and living expenses vary from country to country, which means you need more than the wage you earn to cover your costs abroad.
Working abroad can prove exceptionally useful for Saudi students, allowing them to gain insights into a specific country’s working environment and the job market. When searching for jobs, international students must consider countries with limited restrictions on international students working part-time. However, Saudi students must consider additional factors when choosing a destination for part-time work, such as language barriers and cultural similarities.
We hope this article has all the information you need. Make sure to head on over to our Germany Scholarships Page for more details about studying in Germany – from the different universities to the numerous scholarship opportunities!
